United Football League Announces Officials And Explains Rules Differences For 2010 Season

JACKSONVILLE, FL - Thursday, July 29 - The United Football League has announced its list of officials who will take charge of the 2010 season along with an explanation of rule differences from other forms of professional football.

Having broken new ground in introducing a female official to the professional game, the UFL has now doubled its female presence by appointing Head Linesman TERRI VALENTI of Palo Alto, CA, and Line Judge SARAH THOMAS from Brandon, MS.

Valenti became the first female to officiate a professional game in the UFL in 2009 and was also the first female official to work a game in the Mid-American Conference. She began her officiating career in 1999 as a member of the Northern California Football Officials Association.

Thomas was the first woman to officiate a bowl game when she worked the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl between Ohio and Marshall in 2009 and was the first woman to line up as an official for a major college game in 2007.

The most prominent of the UFL rule differences is the overtime rule, which allows both teams an opportunity to possess the football during the 15-minute overtime / sudden-death period. Sudden-Death rules apply after both teams have had an opportunity to possess the football.

The rule was used to ultimate effect in the 2009 UFL Championship game when a 33-yard overtime field goal by Las Vegas Locos kicker Graham Gano defeated the previously unbeaten Florida Tuskers 20-17.

"We are proud of these innovations, which show that the United Football League continues to be a trendsetting organization and is focused on maintaining traditions and the integrity of the game," said Commissioner MICHAEL HUYGHUE. "We are focused on what fans want and expect out of the game."

A full list of UFL rule differences can be found at [1]http://www.ufl-football.com/about-us/ufl-rules. Some key differences include:

Intentional Grounding: Not a foul by the Quarterback who is either inside or outside the pocket area and under duress to legally ground the football as long as the pass hits on or beyond the line-of-scrimmage.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Tasteful individual or group celebrations are allowed in the end zone or bench areas ONLY. If a penalty is called, the severity of the penalty will determine if the player remains in the game.

Instant Replay: Each review is conducted by a Replay Official in the press box area.

Forward Pass (no 'tuck' rule): It is a fumble if the player loses possession of the ball as he is attempting to tuck it back toward his body.

Fumble out of bounds in end zone: A fumble in the field of play that goes forward into the opponent's end zone and over the end line or sideline is returned to the fumbling team at the spot of the fumble.

Interference with opportunity to make a fair catch after muff: 15-yard penalty from the spot of the foul.

Position of umpire: Initial position is in defensive backfield 5-7 yards beyond the line of scrimmage for all plays.